Odyssey of the Blind God Chapter 5 Empty Innate Ability

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Previously on Odyssey of the Blind God...
A dungeon portal manifests in Nial's backyard, causing him to contact the Originals association. He learns that he can claim the dungeon for personal use, despite the risks. When a slime emerges, Nial instinctively defeats it and discovers an Origin crystal.
The mysterious seed residing within Nial began a slow metamorphosis, shedding some of his most detested personal attributes. One of these was his inherent apprehension of the unknown. Though, he was far from being the sole individual burdened by this fear. Nearly everyone grappled with this deeply ingrained phobia, making it an exceedingly common human failing. However, for Nial, nearly everything fell under the umbrella of the unknown due to his blindness. Consequently, he had always preferred the sanctuary of his home, rarely venturing out alone in earlier times. While his family might have perceived him as an optimist, always presenting a cheerful facade for them. In actuality, he had endured numerous harrowing experiences stemming from his condition, details unknown to his family. In the past, his trust had been betrayed, and his confidence utterly shattered. Yet, at this precise moment, his entire accumulated burden of emotions and the cruel lessons from his past seemed to diminish in significance, feeling like nothing more than faint, transient recollections. Through the peculiar, repulsive energies seemingly contained within the mysterious seed, a gradual transformation was taking place. One of these energies appeared to be the Divine energy he had acquired from the goddess. But it wasn't the sole energy ensconced within; he could discern the presence of another, unknown energy that exerted a profound influence over Nial's entire being, impacting his mental state and distinct personality traits. This was daunting, yet simultaneously, it offered an odd sense of reassurance, making him feel more at ease and comfortable within his own form. 'Perhaps had I not gone blind, I would be a different person, like how these changes are affecting me? Braver and less burdened by anxieties?' he pondered, though he swiftly dismissed the notion moments later. What could have been or what he might have done no longer held importance. Ultimately, Nial became the person he is through all that he endured and triumphed over. As such, Nial would never forget his past or the way he was treated. Despite the pain, he would preserve these memories as a stark testament to his arduous journey and his humble origins. He held the conviction that while aspiring for the heavens, one must always remain grounded. A cryptic smile played on his lips, concealing the intricate tapestry of emotions he was experiencing as Nial put his phone away. Inclining himself towards the ground, he retrieved the origin crystal without the slightest hesitation. There was no definitive explanation for its occurrence, but it was known that various beasts emerging from dungeons had a small probability of leaving behind origin crystals shortly after their demise. Certain scholars proposed that these crystals represented the cumulative essence of a deceased beast's origin. Meanwhile, others were of the belief that the dungeons were a gift from an unfathomable entity, intended to foster humanity's growth. This enigmatic existence purportedly aimed to strengthen them, preparing them for a terrifying ordeal beyond their comprehension. And then, there were those who truly believed it was all merely a game! However, the number of individuals holding this belief was minimal, a mere handful to be precise. Humanity had endured immense suffering, and the perils presented by the dungeons seemed ceaseless. Consequently, no sane person would ever entertain the notion that dungeons served as a form of game, or mere playthings crafted for the amusement of higher beings. Yet, the existence of otherworldly beings further complicated matters, exacerbating the already challenging circumstances. In the end, Nial felt utterly clueless. Everything seemed novel, and he was profoundly bewildered by having encountered and met a genuine goddess. What was worse was that her face had been etched with fear at the conclusion of their encounter! Recalling the expression on her visage, the instant something within his consciousness had siphoned a portion of her divine energy, he shuddered involuntarily. Nial could only shake his head as a sense of unease emanated from the depths of his mind. It was an unforgettable experience, yet simultaneously, difficult to believe, prompting him to grip the origin crystal tightly. However, a peculiar sensation struck him at that moment. 'There's no mana within it?' Bewildered, he furrowed his brow, only for a sudden realization to dawn, accompanied by a bright smile upon his face. Without a moment's delay, he infused some of his mana into the crystal, feeling a stream of information flood into his consciousness. [Mana Perception (Poorest)] "An ability crystal?!" Nial exclaimed in astonishment, his fingers tracing the crystal's surface with care. He was aware that the initial beast vanquished by a cultivator had a higher likelihood of yielding an origin crystal. Nevertheless, the fact that the origin crystal in his hand was, in fact, an ability crystal, stunned him profoundly. After all, the probability of obtaining an ability crystal was exceedingly slim, occurring in only 5 out of every 1000 origin crystals! He felt almost euphoric at his stroke of luck, sensing that some force was aiding him in overcoming his hardships. Perceiving the words that seemed imprinted upon his mind, Nial was overcome with joy.

Many individuals found themselves exploited due to the high likelihood of acquiring an origin crystal when first venturing into killing dungeon beasts. Some were even compelled to hunt beasts without even being Originals.

However, that was a separate matter entirely.

Ultimately, the situation was peculiar.

Mana perception was precisely what Nial needed, as it would indirectly enhance his ability to sense his surroundings with greater ease.

Yet, it was the 'Poorest' tag that gave Nial pause when considering binding this ability to his mana core.

'I won't be able to bind another ability for a very long time... should I really choose this one?' he questioned himself, uncertain whether it was wiser to sell the ability or bind it to himself.

The price for ability crystals was substantial, reaching up to $50,000 for even the poorest quality common ranked ones.

Even if the ability crystal he held was of little use to most, the minimum price he could expect to receive was likely to be $10,000!

While Origin crystals were exceptionally valuable due to their use in crafting powerful weapons, potent potions, durable armors, and various unique devices, ability crystals possessed a singular purpose: they augmented all Originals who utilized them!

Originals, though the wealthiest, were also exceedingly discerning regarding their ability choices, as they could only select a limited number throughout their existence.

Consequently, Nial understood that $10,000 was the most probable amount he would obtain for the crystal, despite the higher cost of most abilities.

However, $10,000 was already sufficient to procure medicines for his sister spanning two months!!

Torn between the decision he had to make, Nial remained oblivious as he clutched the ability crystal so tightly that its sharp edges dug into his palm.

This caused fresh droplets of blood to trickle onto the ability crystal, which then began to emit a faint glow.

At that very instant, a tremor stirred deep within Nial's consciousness, jolting him from his contemplation and making him aware of the unfolding event.

"The... seed is showing signs of being willing to bind the ability to itself... are they compatible?... Wait, could the seed possibly be... an empty innate ability?!"

Confusion swirled within him, yet his hand trembled with burgeoning excitement.

Nial's mind raced with a cascade of thoughts, and moments later, all the worries that had plagued him just moments before vanished.

Shaking his head, he redirected his focus to the incredible opportunity before him, an opportunity far exceeding the value of a few thousand dollars.

'If this is truly what I suspect... I…'

However, before Nial could even complete his line of thought, his body began to emit creaking sounds, and the ability crystal disintegrated into countless tiny fragments.

Almost immediately, a torrent of immense information surged into his mind, making its way directly to the seed, which had now fully transformed.

It appeared as though the seed had finally become one with Nial.

From its original black hue, it was now imbued with a spectrum of colors that seemed to actively repel one another.

While the seed's fundamental color was a crimson-black, it was intricately interwoven with white-silverish, vein-like strands, creating a striking contrast.

The seed felt peculiar, but the binding process of the [Mana Perception(Poorest)] ability was even more disconcerting.

Ultimately, he surmised that the black seed was what Originals commonly referred to as an 'empty innate ability,' implying Nial was an anomaly.

He had not only awakened as an Original but also possessed two free ability slots for binding, rather than the usual one.

A single distinguishing characteristic separated empty innate abilities from normal ones: one had to actively seek a compatible ability to bind it to the empty slot!

Originals who awakened an innate ability were exceptionally rare, as these innate abilities would naturally evolve in accordance with the Original's burgeoning strength.

This bestowed upon them a significant advantage over others.

And as of this day, Nial appeared to have transformed into such an individual... an Original possessing an innate ability!

It would require some time for the ability to stabilize, but Nial could already perceive a distinct change.

'It's both... a passive and an active ability?'

Whereas passive abilities remained in a constant state of activation, active abilities necessitated a specific quantity of mana before they could be invoked.

However, he sensed an enhancement in his mana perception without any conscious effort, which initially baffled him.

Not even the slightest trace of mana within him was utilized to achieve this effect!

Only after several minutes did the enhancement process plateau, leaving Nial with a considerable improvement in his mana perception!

Through a series of swift tests, he effortlessly ascertained that his mana perception had indeed increased, along with his control and precision over it.

It was only then that Nial truly comprehended the immense power wielded by abilities and Originals!

Previously, he struggled to grasp the distinction between Originals and unawakened humans, but now, he possessed a much clearer understanding.

With a nervous gulp, he channeled a small portion of mana into the seed he had christened 'Odyssey,' the name he'd given to the mysterious seed.

This very Odyssey seed, ironically, was the source of his greatest misfortune.

Yet, simultaneously, Nial sensed that this seed also signified the commencement of a journey fraught with thrilling adventures, immense joy, profound pain, deep sadness, and countless life-threatening perils.

Believing this seed to be the very essence of all these elements, he decided to name it 'Odyssey,' irrespective of how grand the name might sound for a mere seed.

This, however, did not deter Nial, who began scrutinizing his surroundings with a newly awakened fascination.

Sensing the vibrant life force pulsing through everything nearby, a subconscious smile graced Nial's lips as he turned his gaze toward the modest training area his father had prepared for him.

Clutching the crudely fashioned spear, Nial advanced with deliberate, confident steps in a particular direction, carefully retrieving the pouch he habitually carried. Securing it to his belt, he shifted his attention back to the looming dungeon portal.

Following this, he inhaled deeply.

"I haven't made a mistake, have I?" he murmured, his lingering insecurities beginning to surface.

However, mere moments later, Nial was enveloped by an unusual sensation.

An sudden conviction washed over him, affirming that his decision was correct and that self-doubt was unwarranted.

Thus, rationalizing his expenditure of $10,000 as a 'necessary' investment, Nial resolved to recoup at least that amount in the ensuing days and weeks.

The quickest avenues to such a fortune, he considered, were either high-stakes gambling, illicit organ sales on the black market, or the perilous conquest of dungeons!

Out of these stark choices, only the last option presented itself as a rational course of action.

With this conclusion firmly in mind, Nial utilized the passive benefit of his mana perception to survey the slime-infested dungeon, while simultaneously sending a brief notification to his family.

They would be occupied for several more hours, returning home quite late after their dungeon expeditions.

Only upon exiting the dungeons would his parents regain access to their phones, as reception was non-existent within the subterranean depths.

Therefore, he possessed ample time to demonstrate to his parents that his decision to assume responsibility for the dungeon and to bind the ability crystal to himself was not a misstep.

It was also sufficient time to prove his own worth, and to reveal to everyone that the blind individual they mocked was far from the useless burden they perceived!

Fueled by this determination, and recalling the profound humiliation inflicted by former classmates, distant relatives, and virtually everyone outside his immediate family, Nial's resolve solidified.

He gripped the crude spear with both hands, disregarding the stinging pain in his still-bleeding hand, and resolutely stepped through the dungeon portal.

Not a shred of hesitation remained within Nial.

An instant later, he experienced a disorienting sensation as his surroundings seemed to warp.

It felt as though he was being violently pulled through an unseen passage at incredible velocity before his senses abruptly registered a complete transformation of his environment.

As he attempted to comprehend his sudden displacement, utilizing his exceptional senses and mana perception, Nial couldn't suppress a peculiar smile.

"Is... that a cave? How ironic, wouldn't you say? Neither I nor the slimes possess sight... so what need do we have for light?"